Ergonomic interventions based on stretching to relieve low back pain and work fatigue in nurses

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) and work fatigue are common among nurses due to prolonged activity and poor posture. Effective interventions are needed to address these issues.Objective: To evaluate the effect of stretching exercises on reducing LBP and work fatigue in inpatient nurses at Prof. Dr. W.Z. Yohannes Kupang Hospital. Objective: This quasi-experimental study used a one-group pre-test and post-test design involving 20 nurses selected randomly. LBP was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and fatigue was measured through reaction time. The intervention was 30–45 minutes of stretching exercises. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test with α = 0.05. Results: There was a significant reduction in LBP and fatigue after the intervention. ODI scores dropped from 11.775 ± 3.952 to 9.45 ± 3.766 (19.74% reduction, p = 0.000). Fatigue decreased from 421.525 ± 50.466 ms to 373.725 ± 39.543 ms (11.33% reduction, p = 0.000). Conclusions: Stretching effectively reduces LBP and fatigue in nurses, likely by enhancing flexibility and circulation. Incorporating stretching into workplace health programs is recommended. Further research should explore long-term outcomes and ergonomic improvements.